Core Belief :: CHURCH

I believe the church is God’s primary way to accomplish His purposes on earth today.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
-Ephesians 4:15-16 TNIV

You may be surprised to hear me say this, but this is a tough one for me. I've been a part of the church my whole life, and church leadership has been my vocation for over 20 years. In that time, my life has been enriched beyond measure through the church, as it has for millions of other people. In that same time, I have been deeply hurt by the church, disappointed in the church, frustrated with the church, and sometimes bored with the church. I've wanted to quit church work several times, and have had others recommend that I do so. You could say I have a love/hate relationship with the church. I often think God could have come up with a better plan. So why am I still here? -because CHURCH is a core belief of Christianity, and you don' get to pick and choose only the ones you like; and because when the church isn't being dysfunctional, there is nothing like it on earth.

If I had to believe that the institutional church--the denominations, the buildings, the national or global organizations, the hierarchy and the bureaucracy--was God's primary way to accomplish His purposes, I might have to bail. But thankfully, that's not actually the church. I can't find any of that stuff in the New Testament. Just like he lived his life, Jesus established his church with amazing simplicity. The 1st-century church thrived--in fact changed the world--without budgets, buildings, headquarters, or media campaigns. All they had was people and the Holy Spirit, which turned out to be a pretty good combination. People, equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love God and their neighbors in ways that changed the world. People were drawn to them like moths to a flame, and embraced Christ and the Christ-life in staggering numbers.

If I didn't think that was still possible right now, right here in our community, I would cash in my chips and quit. I still believe that's what God is up to, if any Christ-followers have the courage to shed the trappings of religion and exchange them for the Christ-life. I love the first word of today's verse: "Instead." Pursue New Testament community instead of religious meetings, and true belonging instead of organizational membership; loving each other radically instead of gathering weekly with pseudo-strangers and acquaintances to listen to a preacher; pursue thinking, acting, and becoming like Christ instead of engaging in religious activity; and giving away our lives together instead of merely writing checks or doing our duty. People who live like that, empowered by the Holy Spirit, change the world. That's the real church. And yes, she is God's primary way to accomplish His purposes in the world. I've seen her, and she's beautiful. One look and you'll fall in love.

E.M. Bounds captured this better than I can in this visionary statement about the church. Ladies, please take the "men" references generically and embrace this vision:

"We are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan or organization. God's plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than anything else. Men are God's method. The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Spirit can use. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men."

- Emerson McKendree Bounds

Core Belief :: STEWARDSHIP

We believe that everything we are or own belongs to God.

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." - 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (TNIV)

When I first began wrestling with this competency, I struggled because my "theology of stewardship" is more inclusive than just what we do with our money. The creed is great, but the attached verse seemed to resemble the money-hungry preachers I've watched on TV. Then I looked a little more closely.

First, I must realize that in Timothy's context, I would be considered wealthy, even though I am not so much here in America. In fact, if you are reading these words, you, too, would be considered among the wealthy. Now, if I am not going to be arrogant in my "riches" or place my hope in those "riches," then I must have a bedrock belief in something else. That something else comes in the middle of the verses. It plays out like this...

1. God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment
2. There is a life that is truly life hidden behind a life of service and generosity.

It's easy to forget that God provides our enjoyment. Everything for our enjoyment is provided by God. This joy is not surface-level happiness, but lasting joy. The things that I need in my life to bring a lasting joy are things that can only be provided by God - relationships, contentment, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, hope, etc. I believe that the adversary of God tempts us with quick-fix happiness, so we don't get to taste the true enjoyment of life. It's sort of like filling up on the chips and salsa, then not really enjoying the main course. Haven't we all been there? My bedrock belief is that only God richly provides the things that bring me lasting enjoyment.

Another bedrock belief is that there is more going on in this life than what I can see. I believe that there is a "life that is truly life" out there. The access points to this life are not in accumulation of wealth and stuff, but in the giving it away and serving others. Oh man, I hate this part. I like the stuff and I want the wealth! But deep down, I know that there is more. Can't I have both, though? Maybe, but it's harder - maybe easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. My "riches" often cloud my perspective. They either consume me once I have what I want, or they consume me in my pursuit of more. Only when I back up and see my riches the way God sees them am I able to rest in His plans for me.

Our belief that everything we are or own belongs to God gives us freedom from worry, from want and from waste. Whenever we begin to worry, want or waste, we have lost focus. Are you seeing clearly? How are you wrestling with this core belief of the Christian faith?

Core Belief :: COMPASSION

We believe God calls all Christians to show compassion to those in need.

Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

-Psalm 82:3-4

Biblical compassion, like love, is not something you feel, but something you do. The wording of the creed above is important: God calls us to show compassion, not just feel it. Compassion--expressed both locally and globally--should be a regular part of every Christ-follower's life. Do you have an outlet for compassion in our community? In your neighborhood? Are you showing compassion to people in need in other parts of the country or the world?

We are surrounded by opportunity. Ike Victims. AIDS orphans. The single mom who lives down the street, and her latchkey kids. A homeless family in Dickinson for whom a Habitat house is being built. An African village in need of a water well. A fundraiser for cancer research. Your elderly neighbor. How do you choose? Prayerfully, and in community. Ask God, and talk to your table group about how you can SERVE together.

From time to time, opportunities for compassion will arise that we will promote to the whole church. Starfish Kenya is one example, as were our trips to Galveston after Ike. But please don't wait for a church announcement to show compassion! I believe our best efforts in this regard won't be church-wide. They will be on the neighborhood level. You might be surprised how compassion opens up opportunities for you to build relationships in your neighborhood, both through serving people and serving with people.

Compassion is a core belief that sounds a lot like a core practice. If we believe it, we will do it. It's closely tied to the "giving away" core practices, as we'll see in a couple of weeks.

Core Belief :: HUMANITY

We believe all people are loved by God and need Jesus Christ as their Savior.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (TNIV)

All People. Rich and Poor. Healthy and Sick. Hurting and Healed. African and American. Latino and Asian. Popular and Unpopular. Pleasant and Annoying. Christian and Buddhist. Optimist and Pessimist. Heterosexual and Homosexual. Sober and Drunk. Blue Collar and White Collar. Republican and Democrat. Man and Woman. Adult and Child. All People.

Loved by God. Not just liked, but loved. Loved with the agape love of God. Loved where we see their needs as important as we see our own. Loved where we sacrifice on their behalf. Loved by us. Loved by God.

Need Jesus Christ as their Savior. Don't need platitudes. Don't need trite sayings. Don't need Christian jewelry. Don't need a bashing. Don't need judgement. Don't need hypocrisy. Don't need condemnation. Don't need guilt. Don't need church. Don't need a tongue-lashing. Need Jesus. Need a personal God. Need love. Need the Church. Need someone to point the way. Need a remedy. Need Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Core Belief :: IDENTITY IN CHRIST

This is actually Monday's Post for April 27, 2009.

We believe we are significant because of our position as a child of God.

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God"

John 1:12

Over the past eight years, I have invested much into seeing these competencies become more of a reality in my life, personally, and in the lives of others. During this time, this competency stands out above every other one. It has been my most often quoted competency to others, and it has had more of an impact on me than any of the others to date. I think it's interesting because most people immediately affirm this competency without even thinking much about it. But to live with this competency and believe it as a way of life...not that's a whole different story.

Think about it...how many of us struggle with self-image, significance, self-worth. A misunderstanding of this belief can manifest itself in many different ways. It can show itself as arrogance by attaching our significance to our successes, or it can show itself by depression or a false sense of humility. Some people gain their significance by people - how many friends I have on Facebook, how many people write good reviews about me, how many moms think I have it together, how many people think my family is perfect. Others reject any sense of significance and are consistently putting themselves down and not living up to others' expectations. There is either an inflation of ego or a deflation of ego.

As Christ-followers, we ought to be different. Our depression levels should be lower. Our arrogance should be tempered with healthy humility. We realize that there is Someone larger than us who sees us differently than we see ourselves. We have been adopted into the family of God, and our significance rests in that alone. It doesn't matter if we lose a job, lose a spouse or lose a child. It doesn't matter if you own a company, retire at 40, hit the lottery or win mom-of-the-year. It doesn't matter if your car dons a sticker that says "My child is an honor student," or one that reads "My child beat up your honor student." Our significance isn't found in what we do or don't do, but who we are.

Not only does this release me to be me, but it also releases me from judging others. I recently had a discussion with my 8 year old regarding another child who can be a bit of a challenge to be around. I explained to her this competency. Her version is "I know God made me and that makes me special." I told her that when the other child gets on her nerves, she needs to stop and just say to herself, "I know God made __________ and that makes her special." By doing so, God will be able to help shape her heart into one that is more patient and more compassionate to those around us on a regular basis.

Take some time today to meditate on these words: I believe I am significant because of my position as a child of God. Say them constantly this week. Try repeating the phrase with an emphasis on different words. Ask God to bring this truth to life in you. Take a moment to listen to the reflective recording below.

Core Belief :: SALVATION BY GRACE

We believe a person comes into a right relationship with God by His grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (TNIV)

On Friday morning, Cameron told me he had written a post for "Salvation by Grace" but got away from the house without publishing the post. He asked me to go online and post it for him. So I did just that...then something happened and I deleted it. Gone. Nowhere to be found. Oops. I'm sure that Cameron's post was probably life-changing for someone and now no one will ever know. Since that happened, I guess he's been tied up, so I wanted to pass along my thoughts on this core belief.

Salvation by Grace was one of the few mantras I remember from my churches growing up. I remember this phrase being thrown around often. Ephesians 2:8-9 was one of the first passages of Scripture I ever memorized. We quoted it before going out and sharing the message of Jesus to people who didn't know it...or at least hadn't embraced it like we had yet. Everybody in my church knew that you were "saved by grace" even if we didn't really know what it meant.

We believe that humanity's relationship with Creator God was severed through disobedience through one man - Adam (Romans 5:12). That's right. The one man created before all men. In Genesis 3, he disobeys God (he sins) and ushers death into our world. This death was not only physical death, but spiritual death as well. His sin separated us from God. Our relationship was not right. We also believe that Jesus came to make that relationship right again. His sacrifice and subsequent resurrection turned everything around. Now, through one man's (Jesus') sacrifice, life would redeemed and humanity could be restored.

So we believe that a person comes into a right relationship with God by His grace. His grace is the giving of His Son so we might have life. His son paid for our sin. His son set things right for us with God. We believe this happens through faith in Jesus Christ - trusting with your life that Jesus is our only way back into a right relationship with God.

How does this belief effect my everyday life? What difference does this make? Not only is our initial relationship reestablished by grace, but it's also sustained by grace as well. I cannot be the husband, the father, the friend, the pastor, the artist that I need to be apart from God's grace in my life. Nothing I do could ever earn this right relationship with God, and nothing I do could ever take this reestablished relationship away. I don't walk on pins and needles wondering if I've done enough good things to get to heaven some day. I don't worry about whether that reaction I had with my kids will reduce the love God has for me. I don't live my life in fear of Father. It's all because of Jesus I'm alive.

What does this belief mean to you? How does it impact your daily life?

Core Belief :: ETERNITY

We believe there is a heaven and a hell and that Jesus Christ is returning to judge the earth and to establish his eternal kingdom.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. My Father's house has plenty of room; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going,"

John 14:1-4 (TNIV)

"Some glad morning when this life is over I'll fly away..." "Heaven's our place, it's where we belong..." "In the sweet by and by, we will meet on that beautiful shore..." These are all pieces of songs I have sung in the church about heaven. We've talked about the streets of God and the mansions. Here are some other familiar lyrics about heaven:

"Baby you're all that I want / When you're lyin' here in my arms / I'm findin' it hard to believe / We're in heaven" - Bryan Adams

"I've been lost in my own place / And I'm gettin' weary / How far is heaven?" - Los Lonely Boys

"God is comin' on day number seven / and he won't call me nigga when I go to heaven." - Ice Cube

"But I'm going to heaven son there's no reason to cry / I'm so excited today I'm gonna die / God says he loves me and I love him too / Yes, I have struggled, but now suffering's through" - Suicidal Tendencies

"Heaven help us now / Come crashing down / We'll hear the sound / As you're falling down" - My Chemical Romance

Everyone, everywhere has a different opinion about heaven. For some it's a rescue from social oppression. For others it's the height of ecstasy, either with drugs or with sex. For many it's just a symbol of escape. For us, heaven is a piece of a much bigger pie called ETERNITY. We believe there is a heaven and a hell and that Jesus Christ is returning to establish his eternal kingdom.

Eternity is a funny word. It's a word that most of us view in forward. However, it also carries with it a backward. It's our belief that eternity is the dimension of timelessness where God resides - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Bible, God says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8). He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). This realm of timelessness produces a dilemma in our world of time, especially for those of us attempting to reconcile our experiences to God's Truth.

Most discussion about heaven in the church is focused around the future reunion with Jesus. Unfortunately, we often miss the present reality of his Eternal Kingdom when we stay there. When Jesus came, he declared that the Kingdom of God is here. He ushered in some part of that timeless space into the time where you and I exist. He prayed that the Father's will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. The redemption of humanity and this earth had begun with the entrance of Jesus.

Our belief in eternity changes our perspective on this life. Because we believe that eternity isn't all out in the future, but is partly here and now, we can experience this reality today. We can experience a little bit of heaven on earth when we pass out a cup to the thirsty, or bread to the hungry, or clothes to the naked or a coin to the poor. Eternity is realized when we live now the way we will live then. When we don't judge each other because of the clothes we wear or the color of our skin. We can taste eternity when we are known and know others, when we celebrated and are celebrated by others, when we love and are loved by others.

I know that Jesus left this earth after his resurrection to complete the work on our final destination. The day I get to see that final place will be awesome, but for now I don't want to live "so heavenly minded that I'm no earthly good." This is why our belief in eternity is important - we are part of God's redemptive agency here today. Amazing.